Boulder County District Attorney Stan Garnett ruled Thursday that the sheriff's deputy who shot and killed a 39-year-old kidnapping suspect near Eldorado Springs in April was justified, saying the shooting likely saved the lives of the suspect's two hostages.

Lue Vang, of Northglenn, reportedly kidnapped his father-in-law, William Lor, 65, and his brother-in-law, Vang Lor, 24, in Westminster before police traced Vang to the Doudy Draw trailhead by tracking a cellphone.

When deputies arrived on the scene, Vang got out of the driver's seat and sat behind William Lor, where he waved a handgun in the air and told deputies to stay back.

Boulder County sheriff's Deputy Jeffrey Brunkow — who was about 40 yards away — had a view of Vang through the magnified scope of his department-issued rifle. When Brunkow saw Vang raise the handgun to the back of William Lor's head, Brunkow fired one shot that went through a gap in the open door and the car frame and struck Vang in the head, killing him instantly.

Garnett said after reviewing the work of the Boulder County Investigation Team, he concluded that Brunkow was justified in the shooting because of the threat to William Lor.

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"This was really a terrific example in which a number of law enforcement people acted, and this is not an exaggeration to say, heroically," Garnett wrote. "For Deputy Brunkow to make that shot from that angle with that precise accuracy at 120 feet was, again, reflective of the many, many hours that police and law enforcement agencies spend training their personnel so that when there is a dangerous situation and they have to act quickly and heroically, they can do it with that kind of precision and excellency."

Garnett acknowledged that officer-involved shootings have been an increasingly controversial topic around the country, but he said this particular shooting was a "great example" of good police work.

"That doesn't happen by accident," Garnett said. "We have police agencies in Boulder County that are very well trained with high standards that are managed and commanded very well. A situation like this ending like it did was the result of excellent police work, and the community should be proud."

'By the book'

Brunkow is a 14-year-veteran of the Sheriff's Office and will be reinstated to active duty, resuming his normal work duties this weekend. Sheriff Joe Pelle said Brunkow's actions likely saved the lives of William and Vang Lor.

"It was obvious this was headed in a really bad direction otherwise," Pelle said. "A single shot was fired in response to a confirmed threat. It's really by the book as far as training goes."

Pelle also gave credit to the other deputies on scene for staying composed and not firing any additional shots that could have put the two hostages in danger.

"The restraint they showed when the shot was fired was fabulous," Pelle said. "The last thing you want to do is harm a hostage while trying to save them."

Both William and Vang Lor told police they felt they would have been killed if not for Brunkow's actions. Vang also reportedly had about 100 additional rounds of ammunition in the car and on his person.

"Who knows what his plans were, but it was apparent he was intent on a lot of violence" Garnett said. "It was tragic he died, but heroic he was prevented from being able to act on that."

Pelle also credited Boulder County dispatchers with helping deputies quickly locate Vang and the two hostages.

"It was really obvious they were in grave danger," Pelle said. "A lot of really good work was done initially in our communications center."

Domestic violence

According to a 65-page report on the shooting released Thursday, investigators discovered Vang's wife left him after she said their relationship became physically abusive. Vang's wife told officials that he had previously driven her up to Doudy Draw and threatened to kill her, once holding a knife to her throat.

Investigators say she left Vang on April 19 and went to her father's house in Westminster. On April 20, Vang purchased a .357 revolver and called William Vor to say he was coming over to "work things out" with his wife. Vang's wife left the house with their three kids after the call.

Vang showed up at the home later that day and pounded on the door, but he left when he realized his wife was not there.

Investigators say Vang's wife left for Minnesota, and Vang reportedly called her to say he was OK with her leaving but asked that she leave their white car.

On April 22, Vang called his wife and sent her a picture of the gun, telling her, "You give me the car, I set you free," according to officials. Vang also warned her that he would kill her family if he did not get the car or if police were called.

Vang showed up that day at William Lor's home asking for the car and for help changing the title, and Lor and his son agreed to accompany him to the DMV to get him away from the house.

Through text messages and brief calls to 911, police were able to determine Vang was holding the two other men in the car against their will. A witness also recalled seeing one of the men call for help before the car sped off.

Once at Doudy Trail, Vang told the two men they should "enjoy the scenery" because it was "the last time they would see it." When deputies arrived on the scene, Vang could be heard yelling, "I'm not going out like this," or "You're not going to get me this way."

He also sent a message to his wife saying she would have to "live with this," according to officials.

Garnett said the incidents like these are why law enforcement officials take domestic violence cases very seriously.

"This was, as so many violent incidents are, grown out of domestic violence," Garnett said. "That's very tragic, and one of the reasons we spend so much time trying to prevent domestic violence."

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